WATERING YOUR LAWN – WHEN AND HOW LONG?
While there are many answers to this question, the truth is – it depends. We can list links to a half a dozen articles on the subject that all provide different even conflicting advice. There are several factors to consider when gauging the how long and when to water your lawn.
WATERING FACTORS:
- Location & Micro-climate
- What Type of Turf
- What Type of Irrigation System
- Local and Community Regulations
RELIABLE GUIDELINES
We recommend a time-tested guideline that was developed and published by the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Click here to download the pdf guide.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
Even with good guidelines, it is best to inspect your lawn for signs of trouble each season. Your lawn will often display signs of over and under watering. If you respond quickly, you may save your lawn. Putting it off for several years or even several seasons could result in unrecoverable damage.
SIGNS OF OVERWATERING YOUR LAWN
Signs of overwatering include grass that appears limp and fragile, standing water on the ground (often a squishing sound as you walk) and a need for more frequent mowing. Overwatered turf grass can result in root rot and cause your grass to yellow and die. It can also encourage moss and mildew growth which will compete with your turf for nutrients.
SIGNS OF UNDERWATERING YOUR LAWN
The lawn may appear dry, tan, or develop brown patches, turf may also crack, shred or easily break. You may observe dry bare spots where turf does not grow or grows very slowly. Turf should snap up when walked on, when a lawn is dry it often will not snap back. Dry grass is often easier to diagnose than turf that has been overwatered.
INSPECT YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
One of the most frequent problems with watering is the result of improper irrigation. Too often there is a set-it-and-forget-it attitude with irrigation. Unless the unit springs a leak, the system can be ignored for years. It is wise to conduct an annual inspection of your irrigation system. Consider the type of irrigation system you may have installed. There are a variety of new water-wise options on the market that may outperform your current system.
WHEN ITS TOO LATE
Most often over watered or under watered lawns can recover. Occasionally, it is just too late and you need to start over. While this may be an inconvenience, it may also be an opportunity. Since the drought in California, new drought-tolerant turf options and more advanced irrigation systems have come to market. Not only can these products produce a healthy green lawn, the costs to implement these upgrades may well pay for themselves in a season or two given the cost saving on water bills.
CANYON HYDROSEEDING
We offer a variety of drought-tolerant turf options. Hydroseeding costs pennies on the dollar compared to sod and you can carefully select the right turf for your location and lifestyle. Call us today for a quick quote on hydroseeding your lawn. (951) 680-1949
\